Attendees dance at the Silent Disco Fundraiser (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
You wouldn’t even know they were there. However, if you look closely, you may see the glowing headphones of dancers bouncing around the indoor courts at Salem Tennis and Swim Club (STSC). The “silent disco” was an Oct. 9 fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
The event was the brainchild of Kelli Swanson Jaecks and her husband, Dr. Ron Jaecks. Kelli, a breast cancer survivor, used her birthday month as an excuse for the dance-fundraiser.
Mask-clad guests, many dressed in signature bright pink, socialized in the club’s lobby. Kelli Jaecks thanked Bill Fletcher, the owner of STSC. Fletcher, who has spent the past 20 years creating a competitive tennis program at the club, generously opened the facility for the fundraiser.
Kelli Jaecks, who had never played tennis before, recently discovered a love for the sport, calling herself a “volley monster at the net.” She felt the club was an excellent venue. There were no street shoes on the court, so she passed out pink socks to anyone in need.
The party was coordinated by Heartbeat Silent Disco, owned by Jo Takimba and Lindsey Schweich. Guests receive comfortable headphones with sound controls. They can be set on one of three stations–each lighting up a distinct color.
Takimba acts as D.J. mixing the tunes. He chose the music of the 70/80s, some 50/60s classics, and a little hip hop/disco remix that suited the demographics. Dancers spread out on the tennis courts. Everyone tended to gravitate toward headphones of a similar color to dance together to the same song – no partner necessary. Everyone else watched from the viewing lounge outside the courts.
QR codes were placed in strategic locations to encourage online donations to the foundation. Since 1982, the foundation has funded about $1.1 billion in research, more than $2.2 billion in education, screening, and treatment, serving millions in over 60 countries worldwide.
The Jaecks hope this can be an annual event.
Kelli and Ron Jaecks attend the Silent Disco Fundraiser (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Lindsey Schweich from HeartBeat Silent Disco (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Bill Fletcher, owner of Salem Tennis and Swim Club, hosts the Silent Disco Fundraiser (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Rob Frazer and Kelli Swanson Jaecks check out the cakes at the Silent Disco Fundraiser (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Scott and Teresa Erickson attend the Silent Disco Fundraiser (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Sara Chaison, Mary Ready, Heather Toller, and Jennifer Meyers attend the Silent Disco Fundraiser (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Debra Herring and Erin Molyneux attend the Silent Disco Fundraiser(Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing regularly for Salem Reporter. [email protected] and follow her on Facebook.
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